The Relatives Family Update
Please ensure you scroll down to read all of the recent stories in this newsletter.
From Finding Hope to Sharing Hope
Emory is in his early 20s and one of the first members of our peer-to-peer outreach team. After earning his GED in under three months with support from The Relatives, he now invites other young adults experiencing homelessness to find the same hope he discovered.
A Letter from Emory
I dropped out of high school when I was 16 years old to start working and help my mom pay bills. At that point in my life, I was doing well, and I didn’t think anything bad could happen. When I turned 21, I became homeless. I was living out of my car and getting by with the support of some friends. I finally found The Relatives when I was 23. I originally went to get help with housing, but they were offering so much more, so I stayed. I worked with Ms. Pendle and studied for my GED, and I joined the Peer-to-Peer Outreach Team. I try to give back because The Relatives gave so much to me.
In under three months, I passed all my tests and earned my GED. My degree was proof of what I knew all along: I was capable of achieving this. Thanks to the support of The Relatives, I kept my hope and was able to do great things.
Now, as a member of The Relatives Peer-to-Peer Outreach Team, I go to the transit center, underpasses, and shelters where I tell young people about The Relatives and invite them to come check us out. I’m working toward full-time employment as a shift lead at McDonald’s and moved into my very first apartment 4 weeks ago.
Every day, I get to live the hope I found and share it with others who need it most.
“Hope isn’t something you wait for. It’s something you build, one step at a time. The Relatives gave me the tools to build mine.”
Sincerely,
Emory
When you become a Hope Builder—our monthly recurring giving program—you provide steady support that allows us to be there for young adults like Emory every single day. Will you join us as a Hope Builder today?
If you’re already giving to The Relatives, please know how grateful we are for your continued support. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to make an impact this year, I warmly invite you to join our Hope Builders—a community of monthly donors who provide steady, reliable support to youth and young adults in crisis.
Your recurring gift, whether it’s $10, $25, or $50 a month, creates a foundation of hope that allows us to be there for every young person who needs us, month after month.
Sincerely,
Trish Hobson
Excecutive Director
This holiday season, you can make a powerful difference in the lives of young adults facing homelessness and hardship in our community. The Relatives has an Amazon Holiday Wishlist filled with essential items and thoughtful gifts that bring comfort, warmth, and hope to those who need it most.
Every item you purchase will go directly to a young person in need, whether it’s warm clothing, hygiene supplies, or a small gift to remind them that there are people who care deeply about them. Your generosity helps us create a holiday season filled with dignity, joy, and belonging for all.
Together, you can show these young adults that their community cares and wishes them a Happy Holiday!
Interested in learning more about how to support The Relatives through the holiday season? Our final 2025 Meet The Relatives tour and Volunteer Orientation are on December 2.
More info and registration here.
Please note: all volunteers must complete the orientation prior to signing up for volunteer activities.
Save the Date — Giving Tuesday is Almost Here!
As the weather turns cold and families gather indoors, too many of our neighbors have no place to call home. This Giving Tuesday, you can help change that. Your gift helps provide safe, warm housing — and the comfort of knowing no one has to face the holidays alone.
Let’s come together on Tuesday, December 2 to ensure everyone in our community can be housed for the holidays.
Stay tuned for inspiring stories and ways your generosity can make an immediate impact.
Double Your Impact at No Extra Cost to You
Many corporations and businesses have a matching gifts program that will double, or even triple, your donation to The Relatives!
Take a few minutes to sign up for matching gifts, if your employer has a program. Every matching dollar helps a young person in crisis find safety, hope, and a path forward.
Not sure where to start? Contact Shane Capps and we can help you find information about your employer’s matching program.
Our 2025 Breakfast with The Relatives event shared the promise made by The Relatives to the most vulnerable members of our community: to welcome them as their authentic selves, and to be here for them through their journey to independence.
Thank you to the new family members and old friends who joined us at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church for this special yearly event. Breakfast with The Relatives’ success would not have been possible without the generous support of our wonderful sponsors:
Support Our Work
